Doll eye mechanism



y 1935- w. LORENZ ET AL 2,002,326

DOLL EYE MECHANISM Filed July 10, 1933 all Patented May 21 1935v i UTED-L'S A E a DOLL'EYE M CHA SM Y William Lorenz and Lam-us w. Pollack,New

said Pollack assignor to" said j Application July ldjies, Serial579,604. f.

16 Claims.

' y Thisinvention relatesto new and useful improvements in an eyemechanism for dolls and the like.

{5 "set portions arranged so that the'hemisph'erical sides of the headof a doll to pivotally The invention has for an. object thevconstruction of an eye mechanism which is characterizedby pair ofhemispherical eyes developed from sheet stockand alsohaving opposedbridge pieces of the-same stock adapted to be slidably asso-. ciatedwith each other. 0

Still further the invention proposes hemispherical eyes adapted toengage the inner support the eyes... V

Stillfurther it is proposed to arrange the means mentioned the previousparagraph-as comprising cylindrical bearings developed from; the

stock of the hemispherical eyes.

,Furthermore as another object of this-invention it is proposed toassociate a gravity member'iwith the bridgepiec'es so that the lugsfrom; one of .thenbridge pieces engagethe gravity mem-..

her for forming the connection and the other bridge piece isslidablm-held by. the same lugs. ,f

Still further an arrangement is proposed for associating a weightavpriththe gravity member in a manner so that :when the hemispherical eyes areextended as allowed by the bridge pieces when thedevice ismounted in adolls head, that the weight be substantially balanced relative to thehemisphericaleyes. 1 r

Still further. theinvention contemplates a inbdified arrangement formounting-the hemispherical j eyes Within a dolls head and moreparticularly .comprising a wire frame adapted to have its ends engagedinto the sides of the dolls head and associatedwith the hemisphericaleyes to pivotally support the latter mentioned hemispherical eyesmentioned in the previous paragraph with semicircularcutouts atthe sidesadapted to pary wire of said supe tiallyencircle portions of the portingmeans.

Still further an arrangement vis proposed whereby the supporting wire isformed with offeyesj may be moved together as allowedby the bridgepieces to positionsin which the semi circular openings disengage fromthe support wire to allow removal of the eye mechanism.

Furthermore as another object of this invention it is proposed toassociate a resilient member with the eye mechanism inv a manner so thattheeye mechanism resiliently maintains its position and. maybe removediwhen desired. I 1

the ar rangement of means upon the outer sides of the.

(CI. 46-40) Furthermore as another object it is proposed to arrange theresilient member mentioned inthe previous, paragraph comprising anflatspring.

adapted to be detaohably mounted upon the eye mechanism and engagingagainst the holding frame.

Still further the invention proposes the cutouts atthe. sides of.thehemispherical eyes in a manner so that .the eye mechanism may bedirectly removed against theaction of the resilient member, mentioned inthe previous two para graphs.

Furthermoreasanother objector this inven-f tion a novel arrangement isproposed for constructing the. ends (of the supporting wire in a mannerso that the w iremay readily bemounted in place within the dolls head.'j Still further th invention proposes [the construction of a 'device asm'entioned whichis simple and durableand which maybe manufactured andsold 'at areasonable cost, 1

For. further comprehension" of the invention) and of theobjects andadvantages thereof ,f'reierence will be had to the followingdescriptionand accompanying drawing, and. to the appended claims in which thevaridusnovel, features of the inventionfare more.particul arlyset forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a maf terial part of thisdisclosure:--- I l Fig. l is a transverse vertical sectional view of adollsheadfey e mechanism according to this invention} 2 is a horizontalsectionalfview taken on the eye mechanism illustrated in Fig. 5 inposition.

.Fig. .7. is another view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating a stillfurther modified arrangement.

Fig. 8 is aperspective view of aresilient memj ber usedin the formoftheinvention shown in Fig.7. p

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary verticalsectional view taken on the line 9--9 ofFig. 7.

.Fig. 1c ,is a perspective view-oi the eye mechanism 'of- Fig;

Referringto Figs. inclusivethe eye'mechanism comprisesa pair of simllarhemispherical eyes l and H each developed from sheet material havingbridge pieces l2 and I3 respectively. The stock from which thehemispherical eyes are formed also includes side portions M fordeveloping cylindrical bearings hereinafter more fully described. Theouter surface of the hemispherical eyes IB and H are pointed or in anyother manner formed. with representations of the eyes and lids; Thebridge pieces I2 and [3 are of slightly different widths with the widerone, namely bridge piece l3 formed with lugs l projecting from the topand bottom edges. The bridge pieces I2 and I3 conversely are slightlyconcaved-as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 so as to add rigidity. Thesebridge. pieces are placed one against the other in face contact witheach other and are slidingly associated by reason of the lugs I5engaging over the edges of the bridge piece I2. H

The eye mechanism is also provided with a gravity member attached uponthe bridge pieces in a novel, manner so as not to interfere withrelative sliding of the bridge pieces. More particularly the lugs l5extend through openings !6 formed in the gravity member H. The lugs thenhave theirfree ends turned. so as to maintain their positions. The'bridge piece 12 is engaged between the bridge piece l3 and the gravitymember H. The gravity member comprises merely a vertical stripsupporting a weight l8' at'its lower end and provided at the top andbottom ends' with cushion elements 19.

eye's extend. The portions ['4 are turned in cylin-' drical bearings Mwhich bearings are adapted to engage into openings '22 formed at thesides in the dolls head for the purpose of 'supportingthe eyes in amanner so that they may swing to positions in which the lids cover theopenings or in which the eyes are fully exposed. Accord ing to thisinvention the hemisphericaleyes may be moved toward each other since thebridge pieces [2 and I3 are slidably arranged for the purpose ofdisengaging the cylindrical bearings I4" on the openings 22 to removetheeyes. The

tolerances of the eye openings 2| and the hemispherical eyes mustbesufiicient to allow the re moval 'of the eyes as mentioned. Similarlythe engagement of the eyes within the dolls head is very simple since itis merely necessary to extend the hemispherical eyes until thecylindrical bearings HS assume positions within the openings 22. Theweight I8 is offset to one side relative to the gravity member I I so asto be in true balance when the, hemispherical eyes f0 and H are extendedfrom each other when mounted within the dolls head. It should be noticedthat the strip I1 is in fixed relation with the bridge piece l3 andtherefore the weight 18 should be extended to the side of the movablehemispherical eye" I 0.

In Figs. 5 and 6 a variation of the invention has been disclosed whichdistinguishes from the previous form merely in the manner in which"theeye mechanism is mounted within the dolls These cushionelern'ents""are in the form of small rubber blocks engaged head. The constructionof the hemispherical eyes, their association with each other, and thegravity member is identical to the form previously described and thesame parts may be recognized by the same reference numerals. Theconstruction differs from the previous form in the provision ofsemicircular cutouts 23 formed with the sides of the hemispherical eyesill and Il inlieu of the cylindrical bearings 14'. The eye mechanism ismounted within the dolls head by reason of a wire frame comprising acentral handle portion 24 and oppositely directed ends 25 engaging intothe openings 22 in the sides of the interior of the dolls head. The ends25 are adapted to pass through the openings 23 as clearly illustrated inFig. 6 to hold the eye. mechanism in place. The wire frame is providedwith offset portions 26 immediately adjacent the ends 22 arranged sothat the hemispherical eyes It] and Il may be moved towards each otheras allowed by the bridge pieces I 2 and l3- to positions in which theouter ends of the openings 23 disengage from the ends 25 so that the eyemechanism may be removed. The eye mechanism may be inserted in placeconversely to the manner in which it is removed. There must besuflicient tolerances between the eyes and their sockets to allow theirremoval and replacement. The wire frame preferably should be made frompliable material so that it may be engaged" within thedolls head bymerely forcing the ends 25 apart into position within the openings 22.

The eye mechanism may also be placed in position without disturbing theset distance between the hemispherical eyes l0 and H by-forcing the saidmechanism behind the-offset portions 26. The upper portion I? of thestrip I1 is made of resilient material and permits a deflection from itsnormal position when its upper extremity H is forced'against the innersurface of the doll head 20. The mechanism may be forced up behindoffset portions 26- from the open bottom of the head, with suitabletools, first the portion H is deflected under the pressure until theconcave portions or bridge pieces I?! and I3 are in alignment with theoffset portions 26 where the bridge pieces snap into engaging position.In this location the doll eye mechanism is held in functioning positionand strip portion I1 assumes its natural normal direction. The normaldirection ofthe elastic strip portion I1 prevents accidentaldisengagement of the bridge pieces from the offset portions' 26 and thedoll eye mechanism may be removed from head 20 only by forcing the stripportion to a' deflected position and simultaneously pulling downward onthe said mechanism.

In Figs. 7-10 inclusive another form of the invention has been disclosedwhich is very similar to the form illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 exceptfor the provision of another resilient arrangement to hold theeye'mechanism in place.

This resilient arrangement comprises a resilient member formed of a flatspring having a central portion 28 with sloping sides so as to becapable of being jammed in-beneath the inturned lugs 15 so as tomaintain its position. This spring is formed with enlarged ends 29adapted to engage against the offset sides 26 of the holding wire frame.

The outer ends of the hemispherical eyes I!) and l l are formed withopenings 23' substantially semicircular in shape except for the factthat one of the sides is cut away to form an inclination so that the eyemechanism may be moved downwards (or upwards if sodesigned) to disengagethe eye mechanism from the supporting frame as previously described. Thespring 28, 25 must be moved transversely to disengage from the lugs l5.When in" place the spring 28,29 l presses against the "offset portions326 as clearly .illustratedin Fig. 7 and so maintains the eye pieces [2and I 3 to positions in which the open mechanism'with the hemisphericaleyes extended through the opening '2I. It

This above arrangement also contains the fea ture ofthe mounting presentin theform of the invention illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, that is thehemisphericaleyes l0 and II may be moved toward each'other'as-'permitted by the bridge ings 23' disengage'from the endsofthesupport since the pointed ends 3l m'ay be ing wire frame. The ends25'of the wire-frame distinguish slightly fromtheprevious ends in thatthey are formedby'slitting the ends and bending one of thehalvesindicated by reference numeral at right angles toact as stopsagainst the material of the dolls head. The other split end 3| may be{sharpened and constitutes'the portion which engagesinto the dolls hatL-The split end 30 terminates in another bent portion 32 whichalso anchorsin the doll head 20 to preventanyrotary action of the wire frame. Inthis arrangement it is not necessary that openings be provided in thedolls head forced-into the material of the head. I 9 1 While wehave'shownand described the pre-' ferred embodiment of our inverition,it is to be understood that we'do not limit ourselves to the preciseconstruction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to allchangesand modifications coming Within the scope of the invention asdefined in the appended claims. l a 1 Having thus describedourinvention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by UnitedStates Letters Patent isgi 1. In. an eyemechanism for dolls and thelike, a pair of hemispherical eyes having-opposed bridge piecesl'slidablyassociated with each other, a gravity member attached 'upononeof'said 'bridge pieces, said gravity member including a vertical strip,and lugs from said bridge piece engaging through said strip to hold thestrip in place andengagingyover the edges of theother bridge piece to.simultaneously ."slidably connect the bridge pieces. l i

.2. An eye mechanism for dolls and thelike, comprising a pair ofhemispherical eyes developed from sheet material and eachhaving op.-posed bridge piecesxof. the same stock slidably associated with eachother, a gravity member attached upon one of said bridge pieces, andmeans for horizontally pivotally mounting said eyes in a dolls head,saidxbridge pieces being in face contact with each other, said gravitymember including a vertical strip in contact with thefree side of one ofsaid bridge'pieces, and lugs on l the other of said bridge piecesengageable with ,the edges of said bridge piece and engaging throughopenings in said strip. for mounting the eyes upon the gravity memberand simultaneously holding the bridge pieces in slidable associationwith each other.

3. An eye mechanism for dolls and the like, comprising a pair ofhemispherical eyes developed from sheet material and each having opposedbridge pieces of the same stock slidably associated with each other, agravity member attached upon one of said bridge pieces, and means forhorizontallypivotally mounting said eyes in a dolls head, comprisingcylindrical bearings developed upon the outer ends ofsaid hemispheri caleyes from the same stockand adapted to engage in openings in the.insideof the dolls head. 4. In an eye mechanism for dolls and the like,

a pair of. hemispherical eyes and each having opposed bridge piecesslidably associated with each other, and means for horizontallypivotally mountingsaid eyes in a dolls head, comprising elementsprojecting from the outer ends. of the hemispherical eyes and adaptedto. engage in openings'in the dolls headas the bridge pieces are movedapart. I

5. In. an eye mechanism for and each having opposed bridge pieces of thesame stockslidablyassociated with each other and each also havingcylindrical bearings developed on the outer ends of said hemisphericaleyes from the same stock for engaging openings gaged over said ends.

7..An eye mechanism for dolls and the like, comprising a pair ofhemispherical eyes devel-' oped from sheet materialand each havingopposed bridge piecesof the same stock slidablyassociated with eachother, a gravity member attached upon one of said bridge pieces, andmeans for horizontallypivotally mounting said eyes in a dolls head,comprising a wire frame having opposed ends engaged upon the oppositeinner sides of the dolls head, and said hemispherical eyes being formedwith semicircular openings engaged over saidends, said wire frame havingoffset portions adapting thehemispherical eyes to'be moved together in amanner so that the semicircular openings disengage therefrom allowingremoval of the eye mechanism.-

8. An eye mechanism for dollsand the like,

comprising a pair of hemispherical eyes developed from sheet materialand. each having opposed bridge pieces of the same stock slidablyassociated with each other, a gravity member attached upon one of saidbridge pieces, and means for horizontally pivotally mounting said-eyesin'a dolls head, comprising a wire frame having opposedends engaged uponthe opposite inner sides of the dolls head, and said hemispherical eyesbeing formed with semicircular openings engaged dolls, a pair ofhemispherical eyes developed from sheet stock over said ends, said wireframe including a handle at the center arranged in one continuation so ithat the ends of the wire frame may be moved lalpagt to disengagetheopenings in the dolls 9. An eye mechanism for dolls and the, like,comprising a pair of hemispherical eyes developed from sheet materialand each having opposed bridge pieces of the same stock slidablyassociated with each other, a gravity member attached upon one of saidbridge pieces, means for horizontally pivotally mounting said eyes in adolls head adapted to release the eyes upon sliding of the eyes in aspecificdirection, and means for resiliently holdingsaid eye mechanismfrom sliding in saiddirection.

. dolls' head, and comprising a wire frame having outward directedendsengaged in opposite sides.

of the inside of the dolls head, said hemispherical'eyes having openingsat the sides engagingsaid ends and adapted to be moved in one directionto disengage therefrom, and a resilient member'mounted upon said eyemechanism adapted to engage against the wire frame for resilientlyhemispherical eyes being formed with substanholdingv the eye mechanismin place.

11. An eye mechanism for dollsand the'like,

comprising a pair of hemispherical eyes developed from sheet materialand each having opposed bridge pieces of the same stock slidablyassociated with each other, lugs on one of said bridge pieces,

a gravity member attached upon one of said bridge pieces, means forhorizontally pivotally mounting said eyes in a dolls head, andcomprising a wire frame having, outward directed ends-engaged inopposite sides of the inside "of the dolls head, said hemispherical eyeshaving openings atthe sides engaging said ends and adapted to be movedin one direction to disengage therefrom, and a resilient member mountedupon said eye mechanism adapted to engage against the wire frame forresiliently holding the eye mechanismin place, said resilient membercomprising a flat spring having a central portion with inclined sidesadapted to be clampedby dolls head adapted to release the eyes.uponslid-- ing of: the eyes'in a specific direction, said gravity memberincluding a vertical strip, lugs projecting from the edges of one ofsaid bridge pieces engaging over the edges of the other and throughopenings in said vertical strip formounting the bridge pieces upon thestrip and: slidably holding the bridge pieces relative to each other, aspring wedged in between said lugs, and said means for horizontallypivotally mounting said eyes including a wire frame having opposed endsmounted upon the opposite inner sides of the dolls head, said springacting against said frame for resiliently holding the eye 'mechanism inplace by holding the eyes from sliding in said dir' ection. a r

1.13. In an eye mechanism for dolls. and the like, a pair ofhemispherical eyes and each having opposed bridge pieces slidablyassociated with each other, a gravity member attached upon one of saidbridge pieces, means for horizontally pivotally mounting said eyes in adolls head, said gravity member including a vertical strip with a weightmounted thereon, and said weight being offset from the center of thedistance between said eyes in a normal position of said bridge pieces tocompensate for the sliding association of the hemispherical eyes whenengaged in a dolls head so that the weight then is at the center.

14. In an eye mechanism for dolls. and the like, a wire frame forsupporting the. eye mechanism within the doll and including oppositelydirected ends, a pair of hemispherical eye members, said tiallysemicircular side openings to accommodate the said wire frame when thedoll eye mechanism is in. operating position, a concaved bridge piececonnecting said .eye members, a perpendicular strip secured to the saidbridge piece, a gravity member attached upon one side of the saidperpendicular member, the other side of the perpendicular member beingsufiiciently resilient to permit sliding the eyemechanism intofunctioning position in engagement with the said wire frame.

15. In an .eye mechanism for dolls and the like, a pair ofhemi-spherical eyes and each having opposed. bridge pieces slidablyassociated with each other, a gravity member attached upon one' of saidbridge pieces, said gravity member ineludingv a vertical striptransverse of said bridge pieces, and lugs from said bridge pieceengaging through said strip, to hold the strip in place andengagingjover the edges of the other bridge piece and simultaneouslyslidably connecting said bridge pieces.

16. Aneye mechanismfor dolls and the like, comprising a pair ofhemi-spherical eyes-developed from sheet material and each having opposed bridge pieces of'the same stock slidably associated With eachother, a gravity member attached upon one of said bridge pieces, andmeans for horizontally pivotal-1y mounting'said eyes in a dolls head,said bridge pieces being in face contact with each other, said gravitymember including a vertical, strip in contact with the free:

side of one of said bridge pieces, and lugs on the other of said bridgepieces engageable with the edges of said bridge piece and engaging.through openings in said. strip for mounting the eyes upon the gravitymember and simultaneously holding the bridge pieces in slidableassociation with each other, said lugs being arranged upon the edge ofthe .bridge piece.

WILLIAM LORENZ. LAZURUS W. POLLACK.

